Holloween and Death by Invention

Apple has apparently acknowledged an issue with some MacBook Pros where the first typed letter in a new text field is sometimes missing. For instance, when filling out a Web-based form, typing the word “dog” in an address field may result in only “og” being typed. A description from one poster to Apple’s Discussion Boards reads (in a thread amusingly titled “ELP! – first letter always missing!”):

Still looking for the perfect Halloween costume that really expresses your interests? Well, if you’re looking for something nerdy, geeky or dorky, we’ve got you covered with this ultimate guide to geeky Halloween costumes.

Ben Cuevas knitted a realistic human skeleton. He calls the project “Transcending the Material”, and made it while in an art collective called the Wassaic Project. There are eleven more pictures at the link. The level detail on the vertebrae is amazing.

Japanese artist Mio I-zawa certainly has a rather strange sense of humor, coming up with this alien umbilical cord iPhone charger that might just gross certain quarters out. It seems to measure around 2 feet in length, where it will come in a kinked shape as well as featuring pinky-blue veins for added effect. Good thing it isn’t slathered in faux blood, or it might just prove to be too much to stomach. One end will be connected to a power outlet, while the other will look as though it was swallowing your iPhone as it delivers essential nutrients – electricity in this case to the handset. We think we’re gonna throw up.

A NSW high school has installed “secure” fingerprint scanners for roll call, which savvy kids may be able to circumvent with sweets from their lunch box.
The system replaces the school’s traditional sign-in system with biometric readers that require senior students to have their fingerprints read to verify attendance.
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But a litany of fingerprint scanners have fallen victim to bypass methods, many of which are explained publicly in detail on the internet. The hacks could potentially be used by students to make replicas of their own fingerprints, or lift those of others from imprints left on the reader.

It turns out that opposable thumbs aren’t critical for getting a good grip. Neither are fingers. Scientists have created a robotic arm that can do everything from serve drinks to draw pictures even though it has no digits.